The top 10 albums of 2014

Even though 2014 wasn’t the best year for music, it still produced some gems from all genres. One constant in the year and this list, was an affinity for the throwback as many artists successfully borrowed influences from previous decades while still sounding modern. Below is a video explanation of all the picks, as well as the countdown written out. What are your choices for the best albums of 2014? Please sound off in the comments.

This is a band that has been able to reinvent themselves ever since the Drive-Thru Records days. When they started off, they always sounded like a more ska version of the Police, but their newer stuff really never resonated with this writer, until this record.

Best track: ” Stargazer”

9. Cary Judd- “The Vacationist”

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You may not have heard of this record, but do not fall asleep on this album, which is equal parts space and dance-y.

Best track: “The Wormhole Express”

8. Against Me! – “Transgender Dysphoria Blues”

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This album has the vigor/pissed off vibe of “old Against Me” while still showing the band’s matured songwriting chops. Some of Laura Jane Grace’s most personal songs are on the record and the passion really shines through.

Best track: “True Trans Soul Rebel”

7. Candy Hearts- “All The Ways You Let Me Down”

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One of the best pop/ pop-punk records of the year. They really honed their craft of perfecting pop songs on this record, and if Candy Hearts were around in the early 2000s, they’d be huge. Go listen to “I Miss You” and “Michigan” and you’ll be hooked.

Best track:”Brooklyn Bridge”

6. Bleachers- “Strange Desire”

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So many bands strive for this sound and fall flat, but Bleachers really master that the Smiths-era mood. Even if you aren’t a fan of Jack Antonoff’s other projects like fun. or Steel Train, you’ll dig this record.

Best track: “Rollercoaster”

5. New Found Glory- “Resurrection”

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This is probably New Found Glory’s most consistent effort in years, in terms of quality/ quantity of songs. The album is called” Resurrection,” but it’s more of a rebirth for the band.

Best track: “One More Round”

4. Taylor Swift- “1989”

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Taylor Swift conquered country, dabbled successfully in pop-rock with “Red” and her full-out pop coming-out party “1989” is executed quite well. You can’t deny just how catchy her songwriting is over all platforms.

Best track: “New Romantics” (deluxe version/ bonus song)

3. Angels and Airwaves – “The Dream Walker”

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The band’s most diverse record yet shows a change in the songwriting structure, but still showcases Tom DeLonge’s ability to write some of the biggest choruses around with tracks like “Mercenaries,” “Teenagers and Rituals” and “Tunnels.”

Best track:”Bullets In The Wind”

2. Weezer- “Everything Will Be Alright In The End”

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Pulling from “Pinkerton” and “The Blue Album” eras, this is Weezer’s best record in years. Everything you love about Weezer is present here.

Best track:” Da Vinci”

1. Lawrence Arms- “Metropole”

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“Metropole” feels like a great American novel at times, rather just a Midwestern punk record. The Lawrence Arms put out its most mature and poppy record to date, but still maintains the grittiness and thematically darker tones.